The Whys
Why study abroad? Why Europe? Why Spain? Why now?
Beginning with my passion for the Spanish language pushed me to tackle a Spanish minor. Along with studying this language, I fell in love with its varying cultures, its widespread use in communication, its people, its story, its history, and its overall beauty. Wanting to become fluent has led me to look into immersing myself into a Spanish first-language country. Spain situated in Europe attracted me to visit and be able to explore beyond the borders and see past US American lifestyles. The program I am pursuing, CEA Seville, Spain - Communication, Media Studies & Tourism Management, not only lets me close the language gap but allows me to study my program and major, Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, for both Tourism and Hospitality in a new setting and with perspectives.
My desire to study abroad stems from wanting to learn the language of Spanish, to travel and see the sights, to re-model myself to see new approaches of lifestyles and to develop and make personal growth with lifetime memories. I might be intimidated to let go of my normal day to day routine as I am a planner who strives on time management and schedules; however, I am eager to learn a different side of myself, to grow more independently and be present for myself and the world around me. Spain is a place that is so relevant to my studies and my intentions as a global citizen. From having family members who have traveled the world tell their stories since I was a little girl, I have been taught and expected to love a country that I have never met. My passion for studying the Spanish language, my major and gaining a deeper understanding of new cultures, has inspired me to apply to study abroad Seville, Spain.
The courses I plan to take fall into my tight graduation plan that required me to study abroad this spring or not study abroad at all. I already signed my lease for next fall so it was this spring or never. In Seville, I hope to immerse myself in the culture, not only by living in with a family but by also building up the community I will be with and the city itself. I will continue to develop myself through getting involved in my interests and reach beyond my comfort zones. I hope to be a bridge and highlight my skillsets to better Seville jus as the city will do for me.
I am fortunate to get to be in the same country as my best friend and boyfriend during the same semester. Nate and Brie hopefully will pop up in travel excursions and my abroad stories as they both will be in Madrid from early January to right around the end of my program. My roommate this past fall semester at Stout, Kate, is the same major as me and will be completing the same study abroad program. We just got our finalized housing assignments and will be sharing a double room with the same host family. With these familiar faces, this semester away hopefully won't be as intimidating as it may first seem like. I can't wait to share this journey with you and be able to use this platform to document the memories to last beyond my time abroad.
